Zelenskyy proposes peace plan and regional Carpathian Initiative

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a plan to end the war in Ukraine, which reportedly involves a ceasefire at the front lines, the mutual withdrawal of Russian and Ukrainian troops, and the creation of a buffer zone under the control of a third country. Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv is working on this plan alongside European representatives and envoys from President Trump, though the United States has not confirmed involvement in its development.

In a separate diplomatic effort, Zelenskyy has included Slovakia as one of eight nations in a proposed regional cooperation framework called the Carpathian Initiative. The initiative aims to unite Ukraine, Slovakia, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Romania, and Serbia to focus on economic and security interests, logistics, and the reconstruction of Ukraine. While Zelenskyy has publicly included Slovakia in the group, Slovak diplomatic officials have indicated that participation is not yet finalized and remains subject to further deliberation.

Additionally, Vatican representatives are engaging in diplomatic movements, with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, amid speculation regarding potential peace proposals.